Louis Vuitton Challenger Series – Race Day 7 Penultimate day with 5 races scheduled

For Race Day 7 we have five races scheduled for Saturday 7 September in the Series 2 round robins.

Interesting to see if NYYC American Magic have been able use the lay day to solve the problems that arose during Thursday’s racing.

American Magic looked to have a mainsail movement problem, possibly caused by a lack of oil pressure, and connected to their recumbent cyclors set-up.

After racing Thursday Co-Helm Paul Goodison commented . . . “We weren’t manoeuvring as well as we normally do, and the worst bit is that we couldn’t quite put our finger on how to fix it.”

There has also been shore-side talk of a possible mainsail control problem on Emirates Team New Zealand, following their earlier race with Luna Rossa where they struggled to respond to a start line luff and fell off the foils, conceding a 400m lead.

ETNZ has a different mainsail operational set-up to the other AC75 teams, which apparently requires more hydraulic pressure to drive it, especially it seems in stronger wind conditions.

But then highlighting any such problems is why they are taking part in the Challengers Selection Series.

How the teams cope with the difficult sea state left over from yesterdays stronger winds could be key to Saturdays results, and with the round robin racing concluding this weekend these will be crucial races for the Swiss and French teams trying to remain in the event.

Latest Race News Here:

Race 22 – NYYC American Magic USA v Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli ITA
Even start with American Magic just ahead, Luna Rosa tack away to RH boundary.ITA lead by 14 sec at gate 1. ITA lead by 130m downwind, USA close them and even at gate 2, ITA lead at cross. At gate 3 ITA lead by 7 sec and at gate 4 by 19 sec. At gate 5 ITA lead by 26 sec and 450+m. At Finish Luna Rossa Win by 22 sec.

Race 23 – INEOS Britannia GBR v Alinghi Red Bull Racing SUI
Ineos Britannia call 15min Delay card to change to smaller jib in rough sea state. Even start GBR pull ahead of Alinghi then both tack. GBR lead by 100m and 12 sec at gate 1, GBR then stretch to 300+m and 21 sec at gate 2, sea looking rough.
Gate 3 GBR lead by 28 sec from SUI then stretch to 600+m. At gate 4 GBR lead by 39 sec. gate 5 GBR lead is 45 sec and stretch lead to 900+m. At Finish GBR win by 53 sec over Alinghi Red Bull.

Race 26 – NYYC American Magic USA v Orient Express Racing FRA
Orient Express played delay card. American Magic lead at start and up first leg to lead at gate 1 by 8 sec, Gate 2 USA lead by 14 sec, Gate 3 by 15 sec and Gate 4 by 20 sec about 300+m.
Gate 5 American Magic lead by 18 sec and cross Finish 15 sec ahead of Orient Express.

Race 27 – Emirates Team New Zealand v Alinghi Red Bull Racing (non scoring)
Close start again with Alinghi Red Bull just leading ETNZ. At gate 1 NZL have 7 sec lead, Gate 2 by 13 sec, and a bit of a skid but recover well. Gate 3 NZL by 20 sec and gate 4 by 23 sec. At Finish Emirates Team NZ lead by 38 secs ahead of Alinghi Red Bull – Non Scoring Race.

Race 25 – Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli ITA v INEOS Britannia GBR
Close start with Luna Rossa but Ineos Britannia take lead and force ITA away, gives Brits 190m lead. At gate1 GBR lead by 8 sec and ITA skid on rounding. GBR stretch to 160+m. Gate 2 GBR an 8 sec lead and keep it tight to stretch to200m. By Gate 3 GBR had a 22 sec lead and extend to 500+m lead. Gate 4 its a 29 sec lead for GBR.
At Gate 5 GBR have a 30 sec lead and downwind are 500+m ahead when they loose rudder and touch down. Both boards down and a quick recovery to maintain 500m lead accross Finish for a 25 sec Win over Luna Rossa.
First time the Italian team has been beaten.

Weather forecast 7 September:
SouthEasterly 6 knots increasing to SW 13 knots.
Sea state SE 0.8m at 5sec period.
Sunny 25 deg C.

Racing starts daily at 13:00hrs UK (14.00 CET) and will be screened live here on the America’s Cup YouTube channel.